{"id":2728,"date":"2021-01-01T13:37:40","date_gmt":"2021-01-01T13:37:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toonsarah-travels.blog\/staging\/?p=2728"},"modified":"2021-03-18T11:49:05","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T11:49:05","slug":"glacier-grey-or-should-that-be-turquoise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toonsarah-travels.blog\/staging\/glacier-grey-or-should-that-be-turquoise\/","title":{"rendered":"Glacier Grey \u2013 or should that be turquoise?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Battling across the dark grey stony beach, hardly able to stay upright in the wind, which was whipping grit into my eyes and cheeks, I wondered if it would all be worth it. But one look at the turquoise blue icebergs floating on the water to m<\/span><\/strong>y left reassured me that it would be. And it was.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had already crossed a rickety suspension bridge and had a pleasant stroll through a wood. When we emerged from this to see the beach below us it looked like that too would be a pleasant walk. We had no idea from above of the ferocity of the wind! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"People
Walking across the beach at Lago Grey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taking photos there of the icebergs that so delighted me was a huge challenge; I did actually tumble over on one occasion when a gust of wind caught me as I lined up a shot. After that I gave up, nervous about breaking a bone or a camera lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View
Beach at Lago Grey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The journey to the glacier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eventually though we reached the far side of the beach. We crossed a small spit of land to the jetty where we were to board the catamaran that would take us to the glacier. We had about a ten minute wait before boarding; once on board we found a comfortable lounge area with plenty of room for us all to spread out. The captain told us not to go on the outside upper deck until we had sailed as the winds were so strong. We were also told we must wear life-jackets while venturing up there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spent most of the journey to the glacier inside, with occasional forays outside to take photos. Meanwhile the crew played a bizarre selection of Elvis Presley hits, most of them repeated several times during the course of the hour-long trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once we reached the glacier though, the boat slowed right down and everyone of course made their way upstairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Blue
Approaching Glacier Grey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Glacier Grey <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The glacier is certainly an impressive sight and really worth the journey to get here. It reaches the lake on two fronts, as it separates around a small island that stands in its way (known as a \u2018nunatak\u2019); but at the point before it forks it is six kilometres wide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Blue
Right-hand section of the glacier<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The ice stands 30 metres high and even in quite a large boat like the Lady Grey you are dwarfed by it. It was only when we approached quite close to the ice that I realised the scale. From a distance you think you must be nearer and the glacier not so massive as it really is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as well as being surprisingly high, it is also surprisingly beautiful, shot through with deep blue cracks and set against the blackness of the surrounding volcanic rock.<\/p>\n\n\n